About GAIA

Who We Are

The name ‘GAIA’ comes from Greek mythology; it represents the Greek goddess of Earth. GAIA International is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization, founded in 2013, by students at Arizona State University. Our focus is on creating long lasting partnerships with communities in developing countries to help rural farmers implement sustainable agricultural methods. At GAIA International we understand that the success in agriculture relies deeply on the fertility of the soil. Therefore, our methods are directed at helping farmers to improve their soil fertility, increase their crop yields, conserve their natural resources and maximize their profits. Our goal is to improve the lives of those at the bottom of the pyramid, through agriculture, by providing them with the tools and knowledge to empower themselves.

Our Vision

We envision a world free of hunger, poverty and ecological degradation.

Mentors and Partners

A number of esteemed mentors and partners have been influential in G.A.I.A.’s creation and continuing operations. Some of our mentors and partners are pictured below!

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower small-scale farmers in developing countries to combat hunger, poverty and undernutrition through the implementation of sustainable agricultural technologies.

Our commitment is to help farmers in rural Peru, and eventually in other parts of the world, to cost-effectively increase crop production and alleviate the effects of poverty, by using an ancient method of soil improvement called Terra Preta. At GAIA, we understand that the success in agriculture relies deeply on the fertility of the soil. Therefore, our methods are directed at helping farmers to improve soil fertility in order to increase crop yields. The team has already made two trips to Cusco, Peru, to educate farmers on this method by teaching them how to make biochar (from agricultural waste), and mix with organic fertilizers found locally in order to replenish the soil fertility by retaining nutrients and enabling beneficial microbial growth. The team has also trained farmers in these areas on how to replicate their design of a pyrolizer (the decomposer system that turns agricultural waste into biochar) out of simple materials that could be found locally and obtained affordably. Our focus is on creating long-lasting partnerships with communities in developing countries to help rural farmers implement sustainable agricultural methods, thereby providing the tools to improve lives at the bottom of the pyramid.